Bringing Your Brilliance Into Focus: Katya Nicholas on Reinvention, Visibility & Being Seen

Bringing Your Brilliance Into Focus: Katya Nicholas on Reinvention, Visibility & Being Seen

On this inspiring episode of Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley, Quinn welcomes acclaimed portrait photographer, career strategist, and executive coach Katya Nicholas.Originally from Russia and now based in New York City, Katya has spent more than a decade helping high-achieving professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives navigate life's pivotal moments. Through her unique blend of coaching and photography, she creates the conditions where people stop posing—and start revealing who they truly are. Her mission is simple yet profound: bringing your brilliance into focus. Quinn and Katya, who have known and worked together professionally and personally for more than a decade, explore reinvention, confidence, personal branding, and why authentic presence is more powerful than perfection. They also discuss Katya's inspiring UNDIMMABLE / Over 40 portrait project, celebrating women who refuse to disappear and instead embrace the confidence, wisdom, and strength that come with experience. Whether you're launching a new career, stepping into the spotlight, or rediscovering yourself, this conversation will inspire you to stop editing who you are—and start living fully in your own brilliance.Because the most powerful image you'll ever create... is the one that finally looks like you. About Secrets of the StageSecrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley celebrates the artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who inspire us through creativity, perseverance, and passion. From Broadway legends and musicians to business leaders and cultural icons, each episode takes you behind the curtain to discover the stories that shape extraordinary lives.Every artist has a story. Every innovator has a vision. Every story has a stage.❤️ If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Comment, Share, and Subscribe!Your support helps us continue bringing you inspiring conversations with extraordinary artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries from around the world.🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you'll never miss a new episode of Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley.Join us every week as Quinn goes behind the curtain with the people who inspire, create, innovate, and change the world—one story at a time.www.QuinnLemley.com#SecretsOfTheStage#QuinnLemley#KatyaNicholas#PersonalBranding#WomenOver40 DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Quinn Lemley, Secrets of the Stage, its producers, sponsors, or distribution partners.© 2026 CAMA, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Jamie H. J. Guan: From Flower Drum Song to The Monkey King

On this extraordinary episode of Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley, Quinn welcomes internationally acclaimed Peking Opera master, choreographer, producer, and cultural ambassador Jamie H. J. Guan for an inspiring conversation about artistic longevity, preserving tradition, and bridging cultures through performance.Born in Beijing, China, Jamie Guan performed with the prestigious Beijing Peking Opera Troupe No. 1 for fifteen years, specializing in martial arts roles before bringing his extraordinary talents to Broadway, film, television, and stages around the world. Making his Broadway debut as actor and choreographer in the Tony Award-winning M. Butterfly, Jamie has also served as Chinese Opera Consultant and Warrior Dance Stager for Broadway's Flower Drum Song, appeared in The King and I and Kung Fu, and has choreographed internationally acclaimed productions for theater, film, and television.Quinn and Jamie explore his lifelong dedication to the ancient art of Peking Opera and his work on the groundbreaking new opera The Monkey King, the spectacular world premiere at San Francisco Opera featuring music by Huang Ruo and libretto by David Henry Hwang. Combining opera, martial arts, dance, puppetry, and breathtaking visual storytelling, The Monkey King introduces one of China's most beloved mythological heroes, Sun Wukong, to contemporary audiences worldwide.Together, Quinn and Jamie discuss artistic discipline, longevity, cultural nuance, and the importance of preserving centuries-old traditions while making them relevant for today's global audiences. From Beijing to Broadway, Jamie shares how artists can become cultural ambassadors, fostering understanding and appreciation between East and West through storytelling, movement, music, and performance.#FlowerDrumSong#TheMonkeyKing#PekingOpera#Broadway#ChineseCulture#MButterfly#TheKingAndI#SanFranciscoOpera#AsianArtists#CulturalExchange

Ekaterina Shevliakova Journalist & Fashionista -Life Without Borders

On this captivating episode of Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley, Quinn welcomes international journalist, television presenter, and media entrepreneur Ekaterina Shevliakova for an intimate conversation about fashion, journalism, culture, and living a truly global life.As Chief Editor of Global Event Magazine, Ekaterina has built an international media career spanning Rome, Europe, and the United States, reporting from some of the world's most prestigious events, including the Venice Film Festival, luxury fashion showcases, cinema premieres, red carpets, and high-profile international gatherings.Born in Russia and now based in Rome, Ekaterina shares her remarkable journey of bridging cultures through storytelling, fashion, and journalism while navigating life as an international media personality. Together, Quinn and Ekaterina explore what it means to build a career across borders, remain relevant in the ever-changing worlds of publishing and fashion, and create authentic connections on the global stage.The conversation delves into the launch and growth of Global Event Magazine, the art of the red-carpet interview, luxury lifestyle journalism, international business, and the challenges and rewards of living a multicultural life.From Rome to New York, fashion to diplomacy, and media to entrepreneurship, this inspiring conversation celebrates women creating global careers while staying true to their unique voices and vision.A must-watch episode for journalists, fashion lovers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone inspired by international culture, media, luxury lifestyle, and the power of storytelling.#QuinnLemley#SecretsOfTheStage#EkaterinaShevliakova#GlobalEventMagazine#InternationalJournalism#FashionJournalism#LuxuryLifestyle#VeniceFilmFestival#WomenInMedia#RomeItaly#RedCarpet#FashionMedia#InternationalBusiness#LuxuryFashion#WomenEntrepreneursQuinn Lemley interview, Secrets of the Stage, Ekaterina Shevliakova, Global Event Magazine, international journalist interview, fashion journalism, luxury lifestyle, Rome Italy, Venice Film Festival, red carpet interviews, women in media, international business, luxury fashion, media entrepreneur, lifestyle television, women entrepreneurs, global culture, entertainment journalism, publishing industry, fashion editorDisclaimer:The views, opinions, and promotional content expressed by guests on Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley are solely those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the program, its host, producers, affiliates, or broadcasters. Secrets of the Stage is a lifestyle and entertainment program intended for informational, artistic, and cultural discussion.

Luma Valen: Music, Motherhood & The Frequency of Healing | Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley

On this soulful and inspiring episode of Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley, Quinn sits down with fellow singer, performer, fashion icon, and creative visionary Luma Valen for an intimate conversation about music, artistry, spirituality, and the profound transformation that comes with motherhood.Born in Puerto Rico and known internationally for her work in fashion, Luma opens up about her deeply personal journey from the runways of Vogue, ELLE, and L'Officiel to the recording studio, where she is creating what she calls The Frequency Era—music rooted in emotional truth, healing, friendship, and authentic human connection. Together, Quinn and Luma explore the creative process from artist to artist and woman to woman, sharing how singing, storytelling, vulnerability, and life experience shape their work on stage and beyond.Having both collaborated with producer and filmmaker David Sexta, the two artists discuss the magic of creative collaboration, finding one's voice, and creating art with intention. Luma also reflects on working with legendary 17-time Grammy Award-winning producer Humberto Gatica, whose extraordinary career includes collaborations with Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston, and Michael Bublé.At the heart of the conversation is Luma's belief that music can heal. Her debut single, "Alive," celebrates friendship as a transformative force—the people who become our chosen family and remind us that we are never truly alone. Through what she calls The Luma Frequency, she hopes to create music that uplifts, inspires, and awakens something deeper within us all.A heartfelt conversation about creativity, reinvention, friendship, motherhood, spirituality, fashion, and the courage to live—and create—from a place of truth.#QuinnLemley#SecretsOfTheStage#LumaValen#TheFrequencyEra#WomenInMusic#MusicHealing#SingerSongwriter#Motherhood#Spirituality#WomenArtists#DavidSexta#HumbertoGatica#CinematicPop#CreativeWomen#ArtistInterviewDisclaimer:The views, opinions, and promotional content expressed by guests on Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley are solely those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the program, its host, producers, affiliates, or broadcasters. Secrets of the Stage is a lifestyle and entertainment program intended for informational, artistic, and cultural discussion.

Cory Choy: The Sound Behind the Story

What makes a podcast unforgettable? On this exciting episode of Secrets of the Stage with Quinn Lemley, Quinn welcomes Cory Choy, Emmy Award-winning sound mixer, Founder and CEO of Silver Sound, and Festival Director of the NYC Podcast Awards. As the creative force behind one of New York City's premier audio production companies, Cory Choy has spent more than 15 years shaping the sound of podcasts, film, television, livestreams, and digital media. Through Silver Sound's first-in-class Manhattan recording studios and award-winning production team, Cory and his collaborators have helped creators bring powerful stories to life through exceptional sound design, audio restoration, recording, editing, and mixing. In this fascinating conversation, Cory reveals the secrets behind creating immersive podcasts and compelling audio experiences. He shares how sound influences emotion, why great audio is essential to storytelling, and how podcasting has transformed the media landscape. From sound design and audio restoration to podcast production and the art of listening, this episode offers invaluable insights for podcasters, filmmakers, content creators, and storytellers alike. Discover why sound isn't just something we hear—it's something we feel. A must-watch episode for podcasters, media professionals, filmmakers, content creators, and anyone fascinated by the future of audio storytelling.